The New Year has kicked off in spectacular fashion for the British running community, with parkrun events across the country drawing record numbers and delivering headline-grabbing performances. Among the thousands who laced up their shoes on January 1, 2026, one name stands out above the rest: Innes FitzGerald. The 19-year-old sensation from Beer, Devon, shattered the British women's parkrun record at Exmouth, clocking an astonishing 15 minutes and 27 seconds, and finished first overall—outpacing every male competitor on the day.
FitzGerald's run didn’t just improve on the previous record of 15:31, set by Melissa Courtney-Bryant at Poole in December 2022; it redefined what’s possible on the parkrun circuit. The Exmouth course, known for its fast, flat esplanade, provided the perfect stage for this historic achievement. FitzGerald’s dominance was so pronounced that the first male finisher, Samuel Husband, crossed the line 22 seconds later in 15:49, with Oscar Purchase rounding out the top three in 15:56. Lauren Knox, the next fastest woman, finished in 17:51, underscoring the magnitude of FitzGerald’s performance.
“It’s a fantastic way to start the year and a testament to the vibrant spirit of parkrun,” said one local volunteer, echoing the excitement felt by runners and spectators alike. FitzGerald’s performance not only lowered the British standard by four seconds but also capped off a remarkable 12 months for the young athlete. In 2025, she competed at her first senior World Championships in Tokyo, where she posted personal bests across multiple distances. Her 5000m run at the London Athletics Meet in July—clocked at 14:39.56—set a new national U20 record, while her indoor 3000m time of 8:40.05 established a fresh U20 European benchmark. Outdoors, she improved that mark even further, running 8:32.90.
But FitzGerald’s success isn’t limited to the track. She’s a three-time World U20 Cross Country Champion, having clinched both individual and team gold medals in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Just last December, she helped Great Britain’s under-20 squad secure their third consecutive team title at the European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal. Her versatility and relentless drive have made her a standout member of the Exeter Harriers Athletic Club and a rising star in British athletics.
FitzGerald’s New Year’s Day heroics were the perfect exclamation point on a festive season that saw parkrun participation soar across the UK. Cumbria, for instance, played host to hundreds of runners and walkers at Christmas and New Year events in Carlisle, Ambleside, Keswick, and Whitehaven. More than 236,000 people nationwide completed a parkrun on Christmas Day 2025, supported by nearly 17,000 volunteers—a testament to the enduring appeal of these community-driven events. “Around 236,000 people crossed a parkrun finish line and nearly 17,000 of you volunteered. Thanks for joining us this Christmas,” a spokesperson for parkrun UK shared, highlighting the communal spirit that defines the movement.
Carlisle’s Chances Park saw 372 participants on Christmas Day, including 14 first-timers, while New Year’s Day brought 206 runners to the same venue. Keswick parkrun, another Cumbrian favorite, drew 537 runners on New Year’s Day and 509 on Christmas. Not to be outdone, Whinlatter—widely regarded as one of the toughest parkrun courses in the country—celebrated its 321st event with 243 hardy souls tackling the hills, and Rothay Park in Ambleside saw 242 participants, with 14 breaking the 20-minute barrier.
Elsewhere, the festive parkrun fever was just as strong. In Prestwich, Heaton Park welcomed exactly 800 runners for its New Year’s Day event, supported by 65 volunteers. The Christmas Day edition had seen an even larger turnout, with 884 participants—many decked out in Santa suits, elf costumes, and reindeer antlers. Event Co-Director Duncan Shuttleworth, who has completed an impressive 556 parkruns himself, reflected on the year’s success: “We had another successful event today with exactly 800 runners and walkers supported by 65 volunteers—a great start to the year for us. This follows on from 2025, during which we held 51 parkrun events at Heaton Park, attracting a grand total of 40,882 finishers.”
Jubilee Bedford parkrun offered a glimpse of the inclusive, welcoming atmosphere that defines parkrun. Despite a bracing chill and a touch of frost, 161 participants and 16 volunteers gathered to tackle the three-lap, slightly hilly course. Some were parkrun tourists seeking to tick off a new letter in their “Alphabet Challenge,” while others were locals eager to shake off the previous night’s festivities. The course, with its mix of gentle climbs, downhills, and tree-lined paths, proved both challenging and rewarding. “Not being the fittest person around at the moment, every little thing seems to slow me down, not that getting around quickest is always the best to aim for, as it’s a 5k however you choose to do it, run, walk and anything in between,” one participant noted, capturing the inclusive ethos that makes parkrun so beloved.
Personal bests were the order of the day at many venues, with runners like Finlay Simmons, Sophie Venables, Greg Wilson, and Ian Newell (among others) notching new fastest times in Cumbria. At Rothay Park, 14 runners broke the 20-minute mark, while milestone celebrations—such as 50th, 150th, 200th, and even 300th parkruns—added to the festive mood at Heaton Park. Volunteers, as always, were the backbone of the operation, with hundreds giving up their morning to ensure events ran smoothly and safely.
For FitzGerald, the Exmouth parkrun was more than just a record—it was a statement of intent for the year ahead. Her ability to dominate across disciplines, from cross country to road and track, signals a bright future not only for herself but for British distance running as a whole. With the support of her club, Exeter Harriers, and a growing legion of fans, she’s poised to build on her early-season momentum.
As the sun rose on January 3, 2026, parkrun events continued at locations like Workington, Maryport, and Aspatria, proving that the running community’s appetite for camaraderie, competition, and self-improvement shows no signs of waning. Whether it’s a record-breaking teenager or a first-time walker, parkrun’s magic lies in its ability to bring people together, one 5k at a time. And if the opening days of 2026 are any indication, there’s plenty more excitement to come on Saturday mornings up and down the country.